sign up log in
Want to go ad-free? Find out how, here.

Allan Barber

About

Now in his semi-retirement at Point Wells near Warkworth, Allan is a freelance agricultural journalist writing mainly about the meat industry which has remained his key area of interest since leaving AFFCO in 1997.

Member for

13 years 3 months

Latest articles

Allan Barber sees silly procurement competition as the bane of the meat industry, distorting signals to producers, and roiling industry sustainability
27th Oct 18, 10:16am
3
Allan Barber sees silly procurement competition as the bane of the meat industry, distorting signals to producers, and roiling industry sustainability
Allan Barber reviews how sheep and beef farmers can meet their industry environmental targets, through individual and group actions, responsive to key data
28th Sep 18, 11:47am
1
Allan Barber reviews how sheep and beef farmers can meet their industry environmental targets, through individual and group actions, responsive to key data
Allan Barber notes that New Zealand agriculture has reached peak production volume. From here out, survival and prosperity will only happen up the value chain
5th Sep 18, 11:32am
8
Allan Barber notes that New Zealand agriculture has reached peak production volume. From here out, survival and prosperity will only happen up the value chain
Allan Barber reviews the soap opera that is NAIT and finds little has changed despite reviews and clear indications the program is not delivering what it promised
22nd Aug 18, 4:42pm
1
Allan Barber reviews the soap opera that is NAIT and finds little has changed despite reviews and clear indications the program is not delivering what it promised
The red meat sector is changing fast, as fast as its trading environment. Allan Barber assesses whether they are keeping up with all the transitions going on around them
9th Aug 18, 3:38pm
The red meat sector is changing fast, as fast as its trading environment. Allan Barber assesses whether they are keeping up with all the transitions going on around them
Red meat exporters schooled in the key factors needed to succeed in China - and not risking it all there despite the lures is also a core takeaway
3rd Aug 18, 8:36am
Red meat exporters schooled in the key factors needed to succeed in China - and not risking it all there despite the lures is also a core takeaway
While there may be bumps in the road at present, MFAT's key negotiator sees bright prospects for our primary products and the story they can tell. Non-tariff barriers are the greater threat, he says
2nd Aug 18, 12:31pm
While there may be bumps in the road at present, MFAT's key negotiator sees bright prospects for our primary products and the story they can tell. Non-tariff barriers are the greater threat, he says
Allan Barber updates and reviews a key idea to improve on-farm productivity, one that may involve a quarter of all sheep & beef farms, and one that has a great chance of success
25th Jul 18, 8:42am
Allan Barber updates and reviews a key idea to improve on-farm productivity, one that may involve a quarter of all sheep & beef farms, and one that has a great chance of success
Allan Barber reviews Blue Sky Meats chequered performance, this year a rare profit. Is this the turnaround that they need to justify the farmer loyalty they have enjoyed?
13th Jul 18, 10:51am
Allan Barber reviews Blue Sky Meats chequered performance, this year a rare profit. Is this the turnaround that they need to justify the farmer loyalty they have enjoyed?
Allan Barber says disruption is coming from many directions for red meat, but the industry has an ideal opportunity to respond with a natural, grass-fed message for premium markets
11th Jul 18, 8:37am
7
Allan Barber says disruption is coming from many directions for red meat, but the industry has an ideal opportunity to respond with a natural, grass-fed message for premium markets
Both farmers and the red meat processing industry enthusiastically support the work developing an origin brand, supporting and developing higher environmental credentials
27th Jun 18, 7:02am
1
Both farmers and the red meat processing industry enthusiastically support the work developing an origin brand, supporting and developing higher environmental credentials
The coming country of origin brand campaign, the new Environment Strategy, and the Red Meat Story bolster a strong environmental backstory for the Taste Pure Nature pitch
13th Jun 18, 10:46am
2
The coming country of origin brand campaign, the new Environment Strategy, and the Red Meat Story bolster a strong environmental backstory for the Taste Pure Nature pitch
Allan Barber reviews some decidedly average results by the key meat processors, even as farmer returns are high in the face of aggressive competition
11th Jun 18, 4:11pm
Allan Barber reviews some decidedly average results by the key meat processors, even as farmer returns are high in the face of aggressive competition
Allan Barber says South Island cooperatives need to take a hard look at the message they communicate to their suppliers by continually pitching their schedules far below real market values
16th May 18, 6:02am
3
Allan Barber says South Island cooperatives need to take a hard look at the message they communicate to their suppliers by continually pitching their schedules far below real market values
Allan Barber finds that despite opportunities, there are a thicket of questions to be sorted through before retiring livestock land for forestry as part of the new Government's billion tree program
3rd May 18, 10:42am
Allan Barber finds that despite opportunities, there are a thicket of questions to be sorted through before retiring livestock land for forestry as part of the new Government's billion tree program
Allan Barber says patience and a long term focus is bringing Shanghai Maling a source of high quality red meat products to their extensive distribution chain and a competitive advantage
18th Apr 18, 9:36am
2
Allan Barber says patience and a long term focus is bringing Shanghai Maling a source of high quality red meat products to their extensive distribution chain and a competitive advantage
Allan Barber sees a good result for the new SFF, one that justifies joining up with Shanghai Maling. But with a very low ROI, it is one that cannot rest on its laurels
7th Apr 18, 11:10am
2
Allan Barber sees a good result for the new SFF, one that justifies joining up with Shanghai Maling. But with a very low ROI, it is one that cannot rest on its laurels
Allan Barber reviews our primary sector's structural evolution and finds that strategy, governance and operating performance have resulted in fit-for-purpose arrangements
4th Apr 18, 11:09am
Allan Barber reviews our primary sector's structural evolution and finds that strategy, governance and operating performance have resulted in fit-for-purpose arrangements
Allan Barber notes that while Trump pulls America back, the rest of the world is making large and effective multilateral trade deals at a rising pace. NZ is in many of them
22nd Mar 18, 10:46am
1
Allan Barber notes that while Trump pulls America back, the rest of the world is making large and effective multilateral trade deals at a rising pace. NZ is in many of them
Allan Barber reviews the ability of the State-owned farmer to improve its deteriorating position. Fancy words and goals are not being realised
17th Mar 18, 9:56am
5
Allan Barber reviews the ability of the State-owned farmer to improve its deteriorating position. Fancy words and goals are not being realised
Allan Barber says the purpose of our meat industry is to use its resources and capabilities to produce to red meat to world class standards for customers who want that
7th Mar 18, 10:03am
Allan Barber says the purpose of our meat industry is to use its resources and capabilities to produce to red meat to world class standards for customers who want that
Dodgy OECD data timing distorts local meat consumption figures says Allan Barber resulting in superficial judgments. But he remains confident grass fed beef and lamb will continue to satisfy the tastes of consumers
22nd Feb 18, 8:41am
1
Dodgy OECD data timing distorts local meat consumption figures says Allan Barber resulting in superficial judgments. But he remains confident grass fed beef and lamb will continue to satisfy the tastes of consumers
Allan Barber sees increasingly urban crowds turning up for traditional A&P Shows like the Warkworth one, and a unique opportunity to balance out urban prejudices with rural realities and sensible perspectives. And it works
16th Feb 18, 4:26pm
Allan Barber sees increasingly urban crowds turning up for traditional A&P Shows like the Warkworth one, and a unique opportunity to balance out urban prejudices with rural realities and sensible perspectives. And it works
Allan Barber watches quota entitlements as a gauge of shifting meat company fortunes and market share. Rationalisation has brought a stronger meat industry even for farmers
1st Feb 18, 4:14pm
1
Allan Barber watches quota entitlements as a gauge of shifting meat company fortunes and market share. Rationalisation has brought a stronger meat industry even for farmers
Allan Barber sees ongoing trade access challenges, irrigation, and the growth of China as a food customer all among what will be the key issues in 2018
16th Jan 18, 4:38pm
Allan Barber sees ongoing trade access challenges, irrigation, and the growth of China as a food customer all among what will be the key issues in 2018